MONROVIA – In a bid to avoid a government shutdown, President Joseph Boakia has requested the 55th Legislature to grant him approval to use US$41,300,000 for the month of February.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh – [email protected]
In a communication, President Boakai said while the Executive prepares to submit the budget, it is prudent that the Legislature grant him the approval to expand the US$41.3 million to avert the government shutting down.
The President said: In view of the fact that the draft budget for the fiscal year 2024 was returned and is being finalized for resubmission, the operations of the Government have to continue to avoid a shutdown. In view of the above, we are seeking the authorization to spend the amount of US$41,300,000.00 as reflected in the detailed attachment. This amount will cover the Government operations for the month of February 2024.”
President Boakai’s request comes as the 2024 fiscal budget is yet to be re-submitted to the Legislature for enactment into law. Last month, the House voted to send back the draft budget as submitted by the Weah-Taylor administration to the executive for review and realignment.
The decision was reached following a communication from Margibi County District #3 Representative Ellen Attoh Wreh, who requested that the 2024 fiscal budget be sent back to the executive for realignment. The plenary reached this decision during the fifth-day sitting of the first quarter of the first session of the 55th National Legislature.
Representative Attoh-Wreh stated, “I present my compliments and request that the 2024 Fiscal Budget be sent back to the Executive for realignment. Having perused the 2024 Fiscal Budget, I observed that the budget will need to be aligned with the agenda of the current government.”
She added, “In view of the above and due to the significance of the 2024 Budget, I would like you to kindly have it sent to the Executive for proper adjustment and realignment for the forward march of our country.”
It is worth noting that late last year, the Ministry of Finance submitted the Country’s Draft National Budget amounting to US$625.57 million for the fiscal year 2024 to the House of Representatives.
Deputy Finance Minister for Budget and Development Planning, Tanneh Geraldine Brunson, provided details during the submission process on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. She mentioned that 99.6 percent of the budget, totaling US$623.14 million, is projected as domestic revenue, while 0.39 percent, equivalent to US$2.43 million, is expected from external resources.
Deputy Minister Brunson highlighted that the total proposed expenditure for FY 2024 is US$625.57 million, with 95 percent allocated to recurrent expenditure (US$594.54 million) and 5 percent to Public Sector Investment Projects (US$31.03 million).
She explained that the first claims on available resources are focused on obligatory expenditure categories, including Debt Service (Domestic & External), Compensation for Employees, Grants, and Goods and Services for Education and Health Sectors.
The submission process aligned with Section 17.1 of the Public Financial Management Act, covering the period from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024. Deputy Minister Brunson acknowledged that the incoming administration may institute measures to adjust the budget in line with policy changes.
Apologizing for the delay in submission, she attributed it to the national preoccupation and distractions associated with the highly competitive elections. She also highlighted critical national programs and projects under the Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP), including the National Road Fund in the Infrastructure and Basic Services Sector.
However, the draft budget is yet to be sent back to the Legislature. While the President did not explicitly mention in his communication, it appears that he is invoking a clause in the Financial Management Law which called for the government to use one-twelfth of the previous budget if the budget for the current fiscal year is delayed in passage.
The House unanimously requested its Ways, Means and Finance committee, to review the President’s plead and report back to it with a set of recommendations.
